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THE BLUEGRASS SITUATION: “Southern California’s home for everything bluegrass, folk, and Americana” Think Los Angeles is all about pop stars and surf punks? Think again. The bluegrass and Americana spirit is alive and well in LA, and has been for as long as there have been wooden floors to tap your toes on. From Woody Guthrie’s Golden State ramblings to the Kentucky Colonels on The Andy Griffith Show, from the Newgrass and Laurel Canyon sound of California natives Chris Hillman and Herb Peterson to a new generation of musical prodigies in San Diego’s Nickel Creek and Santa Monica’s Gillian Welch, the bluegrass scene is one of Los Angeles’ finest and longest-hidden treasures. But why keep it a secret? We think some light deserves to shine on this situation, on its history and on the wave of burgeoning musicians, fans, and venues blossoming throughout the southland. That’s why Amy Reitnouer’s BLUEGRASS LA blog and Ed Helms’ annual LA BLUEGRASS SITUATION festival at Largo have joined forces to create THE BLUEGRASS SITUATION, your first resource for fans, musicians and venues all over the country to be in the know for what’s happening in the old-time music scene. Showcasing local artists, venues, and upcoming shows, the site also seeks to demonstrate to the world the amazing talent and local fan base that await them in LA. We’re here because we love the music, we love the community and we love our city. And we think you will too. Discover Los Angeles’ best kept secret: THE BLUEGRASS SITUATION.

Over the past year The Wild Reeds have transformed from a three part harmony driven band to a full indie folk rock force that has been sweeping the West Coast. In 2013 they toured California multiple times playing festivals such as Make Music Pasadena, Echo Park Rising, Claremont Folk Festival, Lightning in a Bottle, and successfully captured large audiences every Monday night in December with their Holiday Residency at The Satellite.

On August 9th, 2014 the band will be releasing their formal debut album, Blind and Brave, which was produced by Raymond Richards at Red Rockets Glare (Parson Redheads, Honey Honey, Local Natives, Dustbowl Revival). The album release will kick off during a very special show at the historic Troubadour.

Currently the members of The Wild Reeds hold up the fort all over California, from Koreatown to Highland Park to Hollywood – coming together to rehearse right in the heart of Hollywood. Together they are strong advocates for California, specifically Los Angeles.

Blind and Brave illustrates the story of the working class, and encourages listeners to genuinely care about the place they inhabit, keep it beautiful, connect with people, and be brave. The message found in these songs is that you have to get through the hard stuff to get to the good stuff, just as you have to go through the bad parts of town to find the best parts, whether it be a venue down an old dark alley way, or a friend’s house at the top of a hill. In everything you do, do it out of love.

With their debut album to be released August 2014 and a bright future ahead, we can only expect great things from The Wild Reeds this year. They will be joining Newport Folk Festival’s sister of the west, Way Over Yonder in September with artists such as Jackson Brown, Local Natives, Lucinda Williams, and speak of plans to tour the West this fall.